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Antioxidants are they “anti-cancer benefits? While many studies have suggested that these molecules protect against cancer, recent studies indicate they could, instead, promote tumor development by reducing the effectiveness of chemotherapy
It all started in the 80s, when it appeared that consumption of fruits and vegetables seemed to protect against cancer. Some years and many studies later, a consensus has emerged within the scientific community: the fruits and vegetables exert their benefits through a family of nutrients they contain large quantities: antioxidants (see below ). Since then, antioxidants are molecules considered almost “magical” ability to protect our body aging and many diseases including cancer. However, if you look at the literature more closely, doubt is established.
The effect of a diet rich in antioxidants
Hundreds of studies have sought to measure the effect of a diet rich in antioxidants on cancer risk. One of the most successful is the study EPIC1: Based on analysis of data on hundreds of thousands of people, researchers at the EPIC group concluded that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables – and therefore antioxidants – is actually associated with a decreased risk of certain cancers (mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach and lung). This is one reason it is recommended to consume at least five fruits or vegetables per day.
The effect of dietary supplements containing antioxidants
However, as recently reiterated the National Cancer Institute and the network NACRe (Food Nutrition Cancer Research) 2, fruits and vegetables can not be replaced by antioxidants taken as dietary supplements. “The consumption of food supplements (…) may present more risks than benefits. Thus, intake of beta-carotene as supplements convincingly increases the risk of cancer in individuals at risk (eg risk of lung cancer in smokers) while the consumption of foods containing this micronutrient seems favorable. Thus, “except where specific deficiencies and under the supervision of a physician, consumption of dietary supplements is not recommended.
And in case of cancer?
But when the cancer is there a supplement of antioxidants can it not help the body fight disease? “It is common to think that what is natural is necessarily good. But this is wrong! The teas and food supplements contain active molecules which can interact with conventional drugs or with radiotherapy, “said Dr. Barrie Cassileth3. “We must say to patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy: no antioxidants, no supplements! This may alter the concentration of therapeutic molecules used in their organization. It may also counteract the action of treatment. Radiotherapy and certain chemotherapies work in effect by inducing the production of free radicals, chemical entities that will damage the cancer cells and lead to their destruction. But the main activity of antioxidants is to oppose the action of free radicals. “Some people think that dietary supplements rich in antioxidants will protect the healthy cells of side effects of anticancer therapies, but preclinical and clinical data show that they also protect cancer cells,” explains Dr. Brian Lawenda, coauthor of a étude4 on the effect of antioxidants on the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer.
So? Antioxidants are they our friends or our enemies when it comes to fighting against cancer? Current scientific evidence shows how they are double-sided: Allies of choice when made by a varied and balanced diet, they can turn against us if it comes to eating in the form of capsules
